Review: Foxeer ClearTX 2 VTX

Few months ago, I tested the Foxeer ClearTX V1, but the output power was way below spec, I was getting less than 5% of the rated power. Not sure if it was a defective unit, before I could get a replacement they already released a new version – the ClearTX 2, that’s what we are going to check out in this review.

Unlike most VTX’s today, the ClearTX 2 doesn’t come with any antenna or pigtail. Especially when it has MMCX antenna connector and many people are still using SMA antennas, makes me think it’s very necessary to include a MMCX to SMA pigtail at least.

It might not be a problem for experienced mini quad builders, who are likely to already own a bunch of those cables. But for newcomers, it’s frustrating to only find out about the missing MMCX to SMA cable when they receive the VTX.

48 Channels, 6 Bands

Input Voltage: 2S – 6S

Selectable Output Power: 25mW, 200mW, 500mW, 800mW

MMCX Antenna Connector

Onboard 5V BEC for Powering FPV Camera

Size: 22x32mm

Weight: 6.3g

Supports SmartAudio

The ClearTX V2 is possibly the smallest 800mW VTX (however, after some testing, it turned out to be much lower than 800mW). It’s not the lightest as it comes with a heat-sink, and certainly not the cheapest. But the build quality is excellent with a very stylish design.

Beware that the ClearTX 2 comes “Locked”. In order to follow the regulations, some of the channels are disabled out of the box, and only 25mW can be selected.

You can, however, unlock the VTX to access all 48 channels, and higher power up to 800mW if you wish. Simply hold down the push button for 10 seconds to do so.

They provided two tiny o-rings in the package, I guess it’s for inserting between the MMCX and antenna to prevent the antenna from rotating? Please educate me if I am wrong.

Menu operation is a bit confusing at first, takes a little while to get used to. It has one single push button for changing settings, holding it down for 3 seconds to cycle through Bands, Channels and Power settings.

I don’t know why they put them in this order, I think it would have been easier to have Channels before Bands since we change channels a lot more often.

It uses some unusual 7-segment digit display and two LED as setting indicators. For the most part, the digit display is quite readable, except number “2” and “5” which are unrecognizable and I often had to cycle back to 1 and start again.

It worked as intended for the most part, just a little “noisy”. (Not RF noise, but electrical noise)

I didn’t use any LC filter or additional capacitor, and you can clearly see the lines jumping around in the video when I punch the throttle, and disappear when I lower the throttle. I’ve used cheaper Eachine VTX in the same wing before and no lines there.

Therefore , the advertising statement isn’t quite accurate – “Amazingly clean filtering”. There are only one motor and ESC in this build, imagine how much noisier it would be on a quad.